Implement Solid Life Skills

Implement Solid Life Skills

If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, getting sober and clean is your first priority. Your decision to abstain for one minute, hour or day could save your life. Make sure to reach out for help when getting clean or dry. Once you have made that first critical step, you can begin to implement solid life skills.

When you were held hostage by drugs and alcohol, chances are your executive functioning skills took a beating. Executive functioning skills have to do with managing yourself and your resources to achieve a goal. These skills include memory, planning, time management, initiating, flexibility and self control. Other critical life skills include: good communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, asking for help, maintaining healthy eating habits, regular exercise and attention to your mental health.

How good are your communication skills? Are your communications with others clear? How is your delivery? Do you speak softly, forcefully, with a high pitch or do you mumble? Of course emotions play a role in speech patterns, too. You may not even realize how you come across to others. Your communication skills strategy could begin by paying attention. You can learn to watch people’s responses to you when you communicate with them. Do they back away from you, or are they engaged in what your are saying?

Time management skills are essential for reaching daily goals like getting to work on time. You know this, but they also affect how others perceive you. If you are constantly late to get together with friends or meetings at work, people could think you don’t respect them, their time and their commitment to you. If you have trouble managing time, consider using an alarm clock on your cell phone or in the clock radio.

Among other solid life skills to work on, you can set exercise goals—taking five, 20 minute walks a week, for example. You can read about nutritional values in the foods you enjoy or find a dietitian who can advise you about which foods have optimal benefits to maintain a healthy body and mind.

You may not be able to focus on every solid life skill at once. As you continue on your recovery path, one of the most important life skills you will want to implement is asking for help.

Through my education, I didn’t just develop skills, I didn’t just develop the ability to learn, but I developed confidence. Michelle Obama

Infinity Malibu, treats the whole mind and body and provides a full continuum of care, from detox and residential treatment to outpatient therapy and sober living. Infinity Malibu an opportunity full of hope and geared toward your unique needs and goals. Call 855-608-8495 today, and learn to live again!